Jeanne Brekken, 85, of Crookston passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. Jeanne was born at St. Vincent Hospital in Crookston, MN on November 7, 1939 – the third of four children born to Philip and Mayme Fournier Dufault. She grew up on their family farm NE of Gentilly, MN and attended Cripple Creek Country School in rural Gentilly and St. Joseph’s Academy in Crookston, graduating in 1957. After graduation, she worked at the ASCS office located on the upper level of the Crookston Post Office, and then in the bookkeeping department at Polk County State Bank.
In 1958, she married Lyle Brekken at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Together they lived in Crookston for two years before moving to the farm south of Crookston. There they raised four children – Janelle, Robin, Scott, and Jon. In 1991, Jeanne & Lyle moved to Crookston and lived there until 1999 when they moved to Maple Lake near Mentor. Lyle passed away in 2010; Jeanne moved back to Crookston in 2012. She also spent many winters in Mesa, AZ in her retirement years.
Jeanne had a strong faith and volunteered many hours at various Cathedral Church functions. She was a homemaker, avid gardener, amazing cook & baker, devoted hockey mom who traveled far & wide to watch her kids play hockey (all over MN, along with trips to Michigan, New York, Finland, and Russia), enjoyed walking, golfing, playing cards, listening to music, and dancing. Jeanne was a loving, patient, and giving mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved spending time with her friends and family – attending as many of her grandchildren’s activities as she could.
Jeanne is survived by children Janelle Hegrenes of Chanhassen MN, Robin (Karen) Brekken of Crookston, Scott (Jennifer) Brekken of Orono MN, and Jon (Renee) Brekken of Lakeville MN; 9 grandchildren, Nick Brekken, Ben (Laura) Brekken, Annie Mosiman (Matt), Karson Hegrenes, Natalie Brekken, Aaron Brekken, Karlie Deane (Max), Kayla Brekken, and Kendra Brekken: 4 great grandchildren, Beau Brekken, Bella Brekken, Jameson Brekken, and Henry Brekken. She also leaves one sister, JoAnne Tria of Heyworth, IL, and brother, Mike (Carol) Dufault of Crookston, and many nieces and nephews. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, her parents Philip & Mayme Dufault, and brother Richard Dufault.
In lieu of flowers the family would welcome memorials to the following:
Riverview Foundation (www.riverviewhealth.org/foundation/donate-now/) in Crookston
Benedictine Living Community (www.benedictineliving.org/donate/) in Crookston
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (www.crookstoncathedral.com/give) in Crookston.
The family would like to thank Riverview Health and the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston for the care Jeanne received over the last few months.
There will be a Prayer Service at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 7:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM. The Memorial Mass will be held the following day at the church on December 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM, with visitation held one-hour prior to Mass. Inurnment will in Calvary Cemetery in the Spring.
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